Will Rasen Rock or will it be roadworks rage?

Legsby Road in Market RAsen is closed for roadworks EMN-150813-140041001

Published:15:12Updated:15:28Thursday 13 August 2015

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Lincolnshire County Council has promised roadworks will not cause havoc at Saturday’s Rasen Rocks event.

The introduction of new roadworks on Legsby Road, Market Rasen, have been criticised by residents and sparked fears there could be problems at Saturday’s concert which will feature global star Sir Tom Jones.

The roadworks were started by Anglian Water and the National Grid last Monday, just days before record crowds are expected at the town’s racecourse.

A County Council spokeswoman said: “Work by Northern Powergrid, which involves the use of temporary traffic lights, is scheduled to be completed today (Thursday).

“There is also work being undertaken by Anglian Water and National Grid on nearby Legsby Road but this will not affect traffic flow on the A631.”

The spokeswoman went on to confirm a ‘direction on timing’ had been issued, a legally binding document, which identified certain days work could not be carried out on Legsby Road - August 15, September 26 and October 5, all race days.

But locals have criticised the Lincolnshire County Council’s decision to approve the roadworks so close to Rasen Rocks, as increased disruption and delays from a combination of roadworks and a much higher volume of traffic could be “chaotic”.

Several local residents contacted the Mail today and one said: “You’d have thought the roadworks could have been delayed by a week.

“It seems mad to start them when everyone knew about the Rasen Rocks event.”

Another resident said signage for diversions was ‘far from clear’.

The roadworks are scheduled to continue for eight weeks.

Meanwhile, Market Rasen Racecourse is gearing up for Sir Tom’s appearance, which has led to unprecedented ticket sales, over 11,500, which the racecourse’s General Manager, Nadia Gollings, has put down to the decision to bring in the Welsh legend.

“In terms of attendance, we haven’t seen this volume of race-goers for decades,” she told the Rasen Mail.

“Rasen Rocks has been a huge success at the course for many years but it would be fair to say Sir Tom Jones has certainly taken it to the next level.”

Ms Gollings also told the Mail that high volumes of traffic are to be expected on Saturday, leading to some disruption.

She added: “ As with any large event, our customers will experience a delay in travel, although please be assured we will be trying our best to get racegoers in and out of the Racecourse as quickly and efficiently as possible.”